H O M E C O M M U N I T Y
Creek County, Oklahoma
C U LT U R A L I D E N T I T Y
Cherokee and Choctaw
C U R R E N T P O S I T I O N
President and Vice-Chancellor of the
University College of the North
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Denise K. Henning, Ph.D.
E D U C AT I O N / T R A I N I N G
Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies/Public Administration.
Master of Science in Public Administration
Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration with
emphasis on Educational Anthropology
is the solution to a better life. It has led to a stronger sense
of stability and created more security in my life. It has also
allowed me to meet my needs in life and has also provided op-
portunities for me to make a difference in other people’s lives.
It is important to know that there are many opportunities for
you in life but you are responsible for recognizing them and
then making an extra effort to get them. The Creator always
provides if you are centered and on the red road.
There were obstacles I had to overcome in order to get where I
am today. For example, I lived in poverty, I was a single parent,
I had no funding for education, and I was also not prepared
at first for this educational journey. I overcame these things
through support from different people I met throughout my
life. There were people at every turn who assisted me directly or
who could help me find a solution. As long as I was willing to ask
for help there was always someone there. My family’s love and
support was also important. Even though they did not always
understand what I was experiencing, they were there. As a
student, I set goals and focused on those goals one semester
at a time.
I am thankful for the people who inspired me to go after the pro-
fession I am in today, including Dr. Dale Stover at the University
of Nebraska, Dr. Del Weber and Wilma Mankiller. Encour-
agement and inspiration are always important motivators to
achieving your goals. At the same time, when things were
tough all I had to do was look in the faces of my children and
know that their lives were worth every sacrifice that needed to
be made. I felt that I could do anything as long as I took it one
step at a time. Within my current position today, I enjoy meet-
ing the needs of Aboriginal learners and helping them achieve
their educational dreams and goals.
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I believe that education
R O L E S / R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S
As the Chief Executive Officer, I am responsible for meeting the
mission, vision, and mandate for University College of the North.
Know that our ancestors died
for you to be here. It is up to
you to change your world but
remember that you are walking
on their bones. Walk lightly and
respectfully. Know who you are!
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H O M E C O M M U N I T Y
Vogar, Manitoba and
band member of Ebb
and Flow First Nation
C U LT U R A L I D E N T I T Y
First Nation/Métis
C U R R E N T P O S I T I O N
Teacher, Maples Collegiate
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Wade Houle
E D U C AT I O N / T R A I N I N G
Bachelor of Arts,
Bachelor of Education
39
R O L E S / R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S
I teach Native Awareness, Social Studies and English.
I also coach high school hockey and baseball programs.
certain obstacles in order to achieve my goals in life. I moved
away from home at a young age. I also changed high schools.
I had tremendous support from my parents and with the billet
family I stayed with when I moved to the city. With support and
patience, I slowly overcame being homesick and learned how to
be independent. At the age of 20, I decided to go to university.
I was out of school for two complete years and was scared to
enter the academic world of higher learning. Unprepared,
I realized quickly that there was plenty of hard work ahead
of me.
My parents never pressured me at any time of my life to pursue
a certain career. However, they did stress that I was going to
university, whether it be right out of high school or years after.
My mother was a teacher and I spent a lot of time in and
around a classroom. She had the patience and demeanor of a
teacher. My father and grandfather have tremendous work
ethic, and I would like to think that I have combined these
characteristics.
There is extreme under-representation of Aboriginal people in
all professional careers. With our booming population rates
in our province there is a greater need for more Aboriginal
people to lead and teach about our own perspectives. I had the
opportunity to pursue an education and this has helped me to
be successful. I realize that it has also placed me in a role of
leadership. I appreciate this role and take it seriously as I feel
the need to be responsible. I enjoy being a teacher because it
is exciting, challenging, and changing every day. The environ-
ment I work in is welcoming and supportive, which is another
reason I enjoy coming to work.
I had to overcome
Provide an opportunity for a child
to succeed, and that child will.
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